McLaren’s stonking 650S

Also a stunning 360-degree view of Nico Rosberg in his F1 car, Kawasaki’s new single-pot Ninja and JLR's several new models

Of all those brilliant auto videos we’ve trolled through this week, this one’s definitely right up there. When it comes to Formula One, you’re familiar with regular camera angles like the one mounted just above the driver’s head, or the aerial shot of the cars whizzing by. This video combines the footage from six high-def cameras that are rigged onto the car itself that is stitched together to display a 360-degree view of the driver driving. You’ll see Nico Rosberg pelting his 2014 F1 car around Silverstone. Watch here.

PS: Staying in the virtual world, Google maps now has a virtual tour of their museum in Bologna. Check it out here.

McLaren 650S

This supercar’s set to be officially launched at the Geneva Auto Show next month, although official images of it have been released earlier this week. This beast is the successor of that track-honed MP4-12C hypercar. The 650S’ twin-turbocharged V8 belts out a brutal 641hp of power and 678Nm of torque, to produce a retina-detaching top-speed of over 330kph with a 0-100kph sprint that whiffs up in under 3 seconds. As for the styling, one good look at the front, and you’ll instantly recognize the familiar “son of F1” McLaren P1 silhouette.

Kawasaki Ninja 250SL

Kawasaki is betting big on Asia, which means two things: they’ve got to introduce a cheaper lineup and build bikes that are frugal in the amount of fuel they burn. Enter the new single-cylinder Ninja – nicknamed the RR Mono in a few markets – that Kawasaki unveiled earlier this week. They’ve lopped off one cylinder from the existing Ninja 250, but maintained the same trellis frame. That means a bike that’s lighter by 20kg when compared the existing parallel-twin Ninja, and one that’s maintained its 250cc displacement. In fact, with 22.64Nm of torque, this single pot’s got even more torque than the current 250. Expect it to be significantly cheaper too, although it may take more than a few months before we see one on Indian roads.

JLR launches new India line-up

After unveiling its plans for India in 2014 at the recently concluded Delhi Auto Expo, Jaguar Land Rover has officially launched their lineup for India. This includes the Long Wheelbase Range Rover (probably one of the world’s most reliable luxury off-roaders, we dare say), a new Evoque, and a face lifted Discovery. The new Range Rover starts at Rs 2.08 crore for the 3-litre diesel engine and goes up all the way to Rs 2.75 crore for the pimped up 5-litre supercharged V8 petrol. The new Evoque, that isn’t as hardcore as the Range Rover, but now has a nine-speed gearbox (as opposed to the earlier seven-speed one) gives this car a more seamless delivery of torque throughout its rev range. The good news is that although now announced at a price between Rs 58-69 lakhs (as a CBU it attracts a duty of 170 per cent), it may come in cheaper by the end of the year once the expected domestic production of the car begins in their facility near Pune. Also launched was the face lifted Discovery with minor nips and tucks along its front grille, bumpers and headlights available at prices between Rs 1.08 to 1.14 crore for the 3-litre diesel variant.